Rotary water sprinkler

ABSTRACT

A pressure stabilizing device for use in a water sprinkler comprising outer and inner tubular members which are displaceable relative to each other over a substantial portion of the axial length of said inner member, means for coupling the inner member to a water supply source whilst the outer member is coupled to or is couplable to said spray nozzle(s) said inner tubular member terminating in an elongated outlet conduit having at least one outlet port extending axially along said outlet conduit, a centrally apertured throttle member rigidly secured to said outer member so as to be rotatable therewith, said conduit member extending through said throttle member, biasing means designed to bias said members in a first direction so that said throttle member uncovers said aperture(s), the direction of flow of water from said outlet conduit into said outer tubular member being such as to tend to displace said members in an opposite direction so as progressively to throttle the flow of water out of said outlet port(s) the degree of throttling being a function of the extent of the relative displacement of said members.

United States Patent [191 Mordehai May 28, 1974 1 ROTARY WATER SPRINKLER [76] Inventor: Avraham Ben Mordehai, Hazait St.

8, Neve Magen, Israel [22] Filed: Mar. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 338,557

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerRobert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, 'or FirmArthur B. Colvin [57] ABSTRACT A pressure stabilizing device for use in a water sprinkler comprising outer and inner tubular members which are displaceable relative to each other over a substantial portion of the axial length of said inner member, means for coupling the inner member to a water supply source whilst the outer member is coupled to or is couplable to said spray nozzle(s) said inner tubular member terminating in an elongated outlet conduit having at least one outlet port extending axially along said outlet conduit, a centrally apertured throttle member rigidly secured to said outer member so as to be rotatable therewith, said conduit member extending through said throttle member, biasing means designed to bias said members in a first direction so that said throttle member uncovers said aperture(s), the direction of flow of water from said outlet conduit into said outer tubular member being such as to tend to displace said members in an opposite direction so as progressively to throttle the flow of water out of said outlet port(s) the degree of throttling being a function of the extent of the relative displacement of said members.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Fig.3

Fig. 2

VA'IENTEDHAY 28 I874 SHEET 1 BF 2 Flg.l

PATENTEDHAY 2 191 BB 1 3x143 SHEET 2 OF 2 F i g. 6

1 ROTARY WATER SPRINKLER This invention relates to rotary water sprinklers of a kind wherein one or more spray nozzles are respectively disposed at the ends of an equal number of conduit arms which radiate from a common feed duct, said arm(s) being adapted to rotate about an axis passing through said feed duct under the influence of feed water flowing through the feed duct into the arms. Such a water sprinkler will hereinafter be referred to as a water sprinkler of the kindspecified.

When such a water sprinkler is in use, water emanating therefrom is sprayed over a substantially circular area of land whose radius is determined primarily by the pressure of water fed to the sprinkler. Thus, variations in this water pressure lead to variations in the area sprayed by the particular sprinkler. Such variations can be particularly disturbing when a network of sprinklers is employed, each constituent sprinkler of which being designed to spray a specific area. If, owing to any of a diversity of reasons such as variations in ground level, etc., the pressure of water fed to the sprinklers varies from sprinkler to sprinkler then some sprinklers will spray a greater area than others, and in consequence some portions of the land to be sprayed will either be over or undersprayed.

There has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,597 a pressure stabilizing device in or for use with a water sprinkler of the kind specified so as to ensure that the sprinkler is fed with water at a substantially constant pressure.

According to the present invention there is provided in, or for use in, a water sprinkler of the kind specified, a pressure stabilising device comprising outer and inner tubular members-which are displaceable relative to each other over a substantial portion of the axial length of said inner member, means for coupling the inner member to a water supply source whilst the outer member is coupled to or is couplable to said spray nozzle(s) said inner tubular member terminating in an elongated outlet conduit having at least one outlet port extending axially along said outlet conduit, a centrally apertured throttle member rigidly secured to said outer member so as to be rotatable therewith, said conduit member extending through said throttle member, biasing means designed to bias said members in a first direction so that said throttle member uncovers said aperture(s), the direction of flow of water from said outlet conduit into said outer tubular member being such as to tend to displace said members in an opposite direction so as progressively to throttle the flow of water out of said outlet port(s) the degree of throttling being a function of the extent of the relative displacement of said members.

Thus, with such a pressure stabilising device, the pressure of water flow and the biasing pressure act against each other and as a result an equilibrium is achieved which is expressed in the number or extent of the outlet port(s) which is/are open. Should the feed water pressure rise above a certain level the efiect of the water flow will be to tend to displace the throttle member so as further to close the outlet port(s), thereby reducing the pressure of water flowing out of the device to the sprinklers to the desired level. Should, however, the feed water pressure fall below the desired level, then the effect of the biasing means will be to open the previously closed outlet port(s). Furthermore,

2 by virtue of the relative rotation of the two members, jamming of the members due to accumulated dirt, etc. is substantially avoided.

The outlet conduit, as in the case of that shown in FIG. 4 of the aforesaid U.S. Patent is, by its nature, relatively thin and is subjected to frictional abrasion as a result of the rotation of the surrounding tubular member particularly when the latter is provided with a washer. However, in view of the fact that, in accordance with the present invention, throttling results from relative displacement over a substantial extent of the tubular conduit, pressure variations of the supply water results in the throttle member and the washer being displaced over a substantial length of the outlet conduit. In consequence abrasion is spread over a relatively substantial area thereby reducing the danger of breakage of the conduit as a consequence thereof.

The biasing means can be constituted by a weight suitably attached to the outer member or by suitably I coupled biasing springs.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinally sectioned, exploded view showing the constituent components of a rotary water sprinkler in accordance with the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the assembled sprinkler (partially sectioned) in differing dispositions corresponding respectively to differing supply water pressures,

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinally sectioned view of a portion of a modified form of sprinkler in'accordance with the invention, and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respective side elevations of components of the sprinkler shown in FIG. 4.

As seen in the drawings, a tubular housing 1 constituting an outer tubular member has, branching radially therefrom, a conduit arm 2 terminating in a sprinkler nozzle 3. Extending radially from a diametrically opposed portion of the housing member. 1 is a balancing arm 4. A hollow cylindrical weight member 5 is fitted around the lower end of the housing 1 whilst the upper end 6 of the housing member is externally threaded. The lower edge of the housing member 1 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 7 whilst the inner wall of the housing member is formed with a shoulder 8.

An inner tubular member 9is formed with an internally threaded skirt portion 10, the axial bore extending through the inner tubular member 9 being formed with an inwardly directed shoulder abutment 11. A recessed portion 9a is formed between the tubular member 9 and the skirt portion 10.

An outlet conduit member 12 consists of a lower portion 12a and an apertured upper portion 12b the latter being of lesser outer diameter than the former, the lower portion 12a terminating in an end portion of extended outer diameter.

A hollow cylindrical member 13 is formed with tapering outer walls, a lower axial portion 13a of which is inset with respect to an upper axial portion 13b. Extending upwardly from the base 14 of the member 13 is a centrally apertured throttle member 15.

A cap 16 is formed with threaded inner walls. The asvsembly is completed by a metal and plastic washers l7 and 18.

The assembly of the sprinkler takes place as follows:

The washers 17 and 18 are introduced into the housing 1 so as to rest on the shoulder 8. The member 13 is then press-fitted into the outer housing 1 so that the wall portion 13b bears firmly against the inner walls of the housing 1. In this way the washers l7 and 18 are firmly clamped in position between the member 13 and the shoulder 8.

The conduit member 12 is inserted into the inner tubular member 9 with its end portion 12c press fitted against the shoulder 11.

The inner tubular member 9 is now pressed into the outer tubular member 1, the inwardly directed flange 7 bearing tightly against the outer walls of the inner tubular member 9 until the inner tubular member has been pressed home to such an extent that the flange 7 is located opposite the recessed portion 9a of the inner tubular member. In this position the outer and inner tubular members are capable of limited relative axial movement with respect to each other within the axial extent defined by the axial recess 9a.

The upper end 12b of the outlet conduit 12 extends through the aligned apertures formed in the washers l7 and 18 and the axial bore formed in the throttle member 15.

The cap 16 is now screwed into position on the upper threaded portion'6 of the housing 1 whilst, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings a supply pipe 13 is screw coupled to the skirt portion of the inner tubular member 9.

In operation, and with the flow of water into the sprinkler through the supply pipe 13 and, provided the pressure of the supply water remains below a predetermined maximum, the water flowing into the sprinkler emerges out of the apertures formed in the'outlet conduit 121; so as to fill the space defined within the housing member and the cap and emerges out of the conduit arm 2 and sprinkler 3. The shape of the sprinkler nozzle is such that the outflowing water causes the conduit arm 2 to rotate, turning with it the housing 1 and the securely clamped seal member 13.

The inflow pressure of the supply water which bears on the inner surface of the cap 16 tends to lift the cap and its associated housing 1 and member 13 and this tendency is resisted by the weight of the housing member to which is secured the conical weight 5.

If, however, this supply pressure increases beyond a predetermined maximum the water pressure exerted on the inner surface of the cap 16 exceeds the downwardly directed weight and the housing and associated member 13 rise, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings and as a consequence the throttle member seals off some of the outlet apertures formed in the outlet conduit and in this way automatically reduces the inflow pressure so as to keep it below the predetermined maximum.

In this way it can be readily seen that any untoward increases in water supply pressure are compensated for by reducing the outflow of water from the outlet conduit by the sealing off of successive apertures by the throttle member 15. When the water pressure drops below the predetermined maximum the housing member 1 and its associated throttle member 15 move downwardly thereby opening up the previously sealed" tially to prevent the downflow of water through and out of the inner housing 1.

By making the outlet conduit and the throttle member 15 longer it is possible to ensure that the throttle member 15 itself effectively prevents substantial loss of water as a result of downflow and in this way the provision of the plastic washer 18 can be dispensed with.

It will be readily appreciated that by virtue of the fact that the throttle member 15 and its washer (where provided) move up and down the outlet conduit whilst rotating rapidly with respect to the outlet conduit, the resulting frictional abrasion of the outlet conduit is distributed over the length of the outlet conduit and in this way the dangers of this-abrasion leading to breakage of the outlet conduit are substantially reduced as compared with the situation where the throttle member and washer always rotate with respect to the same narrowly defined length of outlet conduit.

Preferably the apertures formed in the outlet conduit 12b are so shaped and distributed that the lowermost apertures are of greatest size whilst the uppermost apertures are of least size there being a steady diminution in size as the upper end of the outlet conduit is approached.

Whilst in the specific embodiment described above I the outer tubular member is biased downwardly by means of a weight 5 it will be appreciated that biasing can equally well be effected by means of suitably located springs.

Furthermore, the apertures formed in the outlet conduit may be constituted by a single column of spaced apart apertures or by a plurality of columns of spaced apart apertures, the columns being radially spaced apart. Alternatively, the plurality of spaced apart apertures may be replaced by an extended slit-like aperture.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings a modified outlet conduit member 21, has formed in its upper portion 21b a single pair of aligned ports 22. The member 21 terminates in an enlarged head 23 but being otherwise of similar construction to the member 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings. A modified pair of inner and outer tubular members 24 and 25 are very similar in construction to the equivalent members 1 and 9 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. In the present case however a throttle member is constituted by a tubular element 26 whose upper end 26a flares towards its mouth, the unflared portion of the tubular element 26 forming a relatively close sliding fit with the member 21.

In use the upward displacement of the throttle member 26 results in an increasing degree of throttling of the throughflow of water through the ports 22, throttling being completed when the throttle member has been displaced to such an extent that its unflared portion is disposed opposite the ports 22. The provision of the enlarged head 23 is designed to ensure that the partially throttled water flow is diverted by the head 23 in a sideways direction.

I claim:

1. A water sprinkler of the rotary type including a pressure stabilizing device, comprising outer and inner tubular members displaceable relative to each other over a substantial portion of the axial length of said inner member, means for coupling the inner member to a water supply source, means coupling the outer member to a spray nozzle, said inner tubular member terminating in an axially enlongated outlet conduit having at least one outlet port extending axially along said outlet conduit, a centrally apertured throttle member rigidly secured to said outer member for rotation therewith, said conduit member extending through said throttle member, biasing means for biasing said tubular members in a first direction, increasing the area of said at least one port, said outlet conduit being oriented in a direction such that water flowing from said outlet conduit into said outer tubular member urges said tubular members in a direction opposite said first direction, progressively to throttle the flow of water out of said outlet port, the degree of throttling increasing with increased separation of said members, means for relatively rotating said tubular members responsive to flow of water through said nozzle, and complemental rotary bearing means interposed between said tubular members, the areas of engagement of said bearing means being relatively shifted in an axial direction responsive to said displacement of said members, whereby the wear resulting from said relative rotation is distributed over an extended area.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 including a flexible washer associated with the throttle member and through which the outlet conduit sealingly extends.

3. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2, wherein said biasing means is constituted by a weighted outer member.

4. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein said biasing means is constituted by springs.

5. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of outlet ports of diminishing size are provided.

6. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein said port is constituted by a single extended outlet slit formed in said conduit.

7. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein said throttle member is formed with a flared mouth portion.

8. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 7 wherein an outer end of said outlet conduit is formed with an enlarged head. 

1. A water sprinkler of the rotary type including a pressure stabilizing device, comprising outer and inner tubular members displaceable relative to each other over a substantial portion of the axial length of said inner member, means for coupling the inner member to a water supply source, means coupling the outer member to a spray nozzle, said inner tubular member terminating in an axially enlongated outlet conduit having at least one outlet port extending axially along said outlet conduit, a centrally apertured throttle member rigidly secured to said outer member for rotation therewith, said conduit member extending through said throttle member, biasing means for biasing said tubular members in a first direction, increasing the area of said at least one port, said outlet conduit being oriented in a direction such that water flowing from said outlet conduit into said outer tubular member urges said tubular members in a direction opposite said first direction, progressively to throttle the flow of water out of said outlet port, the degree of throttling increasing with increased separation of said members, means for relatively rotating said tubular members responsive to flow of water through said nozzle, and complemental rotary bearing means interposeD between said tubular members, the areas of engagement of said bearing means being relatively shifted in an axial direction responsive to said displacement of said members, whereby the wear resulting from said relative rotation is distributed over an extended area.
 2. Apparatus of claim 1 including a flexible washer associated with the throttle member and through which the outlet conduit sealingly extends.
 3. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2, wherein said biasing means is constituted by a weighted outer member.
 4. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein said biasing means is constituted by springs.
 5. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein a plurality of outlet ports of diminishing size are provided.
 6. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein said port is constituted by a single extended outlet slit formed in said conduit.
 7. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 2 wherein said throttle member is formed with a flared mouth portion.
 8. A pressure stabilising device according to claim 7 wherein an outer end of said outlet conduit is formed with an enlarged head. 